Silsbee seeking first win over Mustangs since 2009

Updated 12:44 pm, Friday, September 18, 2015

Photo: Kim Brent

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Silsbee's Dontre Thomas will look to lead the Tigers to their first win over West Orange-Stark since 2009 when they play host to them at at 7:30 p.m. today.
Silsbee's Dontre Thomas leaps to avoid the Splendora defense as he runs the play on the quarterback keeper during Friday's home game in Tiger Stadium.
Photo taken Friday, October 17, 2014
Kim Brent/@kimbpix
Manditory Credit, No Sales, Mags Out, TV Out, Web: AP Members only less

Silsbee's Dontre Thomas will look to lead the Tigers to their first win over West Orange-Stark since 2009 when they play host to them at at 7:30 p.m. today.
Silsbee's Dontre Thomas leaps to avoid the Splendora ... more

Photo: Kim Brent

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Silsbee's Dontre Thomas will look to lead the Tigers to their first win over West Orange-Stark since 2009 when they play host to them at at 7:30 p.m. today.
Silsbee's Dontre Thomas looks to pass against Splendora during Friday's home game at Tiger Stadium.
Photo taken Friday, October 17, 2014
Kim Brent/@kimbpix
Manditory Credit, No Sales, Mags Out, TV Out, Web: AP Members only less

Silsbee's Dontre Thomas will look to lead the Tigers to their first win over West Orange-Stark since 2009 when they play host to them at at 7:30 p.m. today.
Silsbee's Dontre Thomas looks to pass against ... more

Photo: Kim Brent

Silsbee seeking first win over Mustangs since 2009

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Dontre Thomas walked off the Silsbee practice field with a larger than normal crowd watching from under the shade of the bleachers.

Tiger fans are noticeably excited and understandably so, considering Silsbee is off to a 3-0 start and are one win away from matching their win-total from a year ago.

But to get to 4-0, the Tigers will have to go through Class 3A's No. 3-ranked West Orange-Stark, whom they'll play host to at 7:30 p.m. today in Silsbee's home-opener.

"We are ready, we are hyped up, it's rivalry week," said Thomas, who has completed 38 passes for 342 yards and eight touchdowns this season. "If we execute, we are good to go. It's going to be a good game and we have a lot of respect for them (WO-S). But there are no friends on the football field."

History hasn't been kind to the Tigers, who have lost nine of the last 10 meetings to the Mustangs. In fact, Silsbee hasn't beaten West Orange-Stark since 2009 (17-7) when they went on to win the District 21-3A championship.

"To call this game a rivalry, we have to hold up our end of the deal and win a few of these games," said Silsbee coach Bobby McGallion, whose team is averaging 48 points per game. "We haven't done that in years past, but it's still a marquee game in the area and we expect a big crowd and a lot of fan interest. It's one of those early season games where both teams have come out of the gate fast."

A key to Silsbee's fast start can be attributed to the connection between Thomas and his young receivers. The new up-tempo offense the Tigers adopted this past spring, has allowed sophomore receivers Kalon Barnes and Tre'Darius Lowe a chance to emerge as big-time threats to opposing defenses. The duo has combined for 389 yards and five touchdowns in three games, while junior Kolten Mackey has established himself as a deep threat with 10 catches for 238 yards and three touchdowns.

"Our new offense has served us well at this point, but we have not faced a defense like West Orange-Stark," McGallion said. "They are very good offensively, but you know they are going to bring a solid defense."

The Mustangs' defense has not allowed more than 14 points to an opponent and are coming off a 53-0 shutout of Jasper a week ago. Their offense has been equally as good, averaging 35 points per game.

"This is not an ordinary team and we've had to prepare extra hard for this challenge," Tigers senior defensive lineman Tyler Coutee. "We have a lot more confidence this year and we are going into every game like we can win it. A victory would mean everything to this town and we want to deliver that."